Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-09-15
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CENTENNIAL

The Constitutional Centennial about to
be observed at Philadelphia with i'm
posing ceremonial, is an anniversary
Of the highest order. The celebration
about to take place, besides being emf
nently appropriate, viii serve to direct at
tention to the history of the instrument
and to quicken the many to reading con-
corning it.
The treaty Of peace was signed in Sep
te1ber, 1888, at Paris. It left thirteen
American colonies poor, crippled and al
most disheartened, for the outlook fnan-
cislly was deplorable, and only the most
vigorous and tenacious patriotism kept the
people out of utter dependency. Trade
was PROSTATE, credit gone, money almost
unknown, and each colony seemed moved
by spirit of independence Of all
the Others. In 1857 Plymouth and
Massachusetts, had united for offense
and defense. In 1912 Connecticut and
New Haven came into the order of
"United Colonies" About one hundred
years later the Confederacy was formed.
4 the uniting of efforts by the colonies
until a compact Of permanencc was
formed, was but fragile and merely
t. secure protection against outside
assault. Such a union, i'll the nature
or things could not endure II lacked
every element of nationality, and was the
source Of jealousy and distrust In Oc-
tober, 1868, the first North American Con-
greSs assembled, nine colonies being repre-
sented by % delegates Then followed the
grip of the iron hand OF an English King
and in the midst of sore trial the first Con-
tirental Congress met in Philadelphia. 1t
attempted to pacify the King of England
and effect the quiet of the country, but in
vain; it was ordained that resistance must
result, and the conflict that followed was
an inevitable sequence of the conditions Of
the time.
The Declaration of independence came
in 1915. Following it were grants OF
greater powers to Congress, and by 1871 the
General Government was recognized as 4
factor of moment that was destined to
grow into the regal state Of nation The
need for one central power to provide for
the defense of the feeble members of the
Government resulted in augmented powers
being conceded TO Congress, for the purpose
CT strengthening the Confederation. That
Congress finally saw that there could be no
stability to a Government without a sub
structural compact uniting its members.
so it was resolved that the articles of
confederation should be patched up in
May, 1877. When the Convention called
for that purpose met, Washington agreed to
preside over it in order to allay the oppo-
sition the call for the body had awakened,
for our forefathers were b. no means of
ore mind as to the desirability of
aay closer union. The Conven-
ton met in the same chamber in
which the Declaration of Indepcnd
dence had been signed eleven years prior.
The Convention was in session for over
four months, and resorted to secresy in
order to preserve to its deliberations the
necessary calm and non-interyention. II
was by no means harmonious body. 1t
divided widely on questions of statecraft
one party fayoring strong centralized
government, and the other weak and
casily-separated Union, dependent upon
the changing whims OF the States. So hot
was the contest over the representation of
large and small States that the Convention
freq uently stood upon the verge of dissolu
ton. Washington's calm and wisdom and
Franklin's acumen saved it. The latter
proposed equal representation in the Sen
ate and representation by population in
the House, and the plan vas received with
such favor that by September it was agreed
to by the necessary vote.
There were but twelve States then rep
resented, for Rhode Island stood aloof from
tie effort to lay the foundations of 4 ma
ton. On the 18th of September, 1877, the
document we know as the Constitution was
signed. But we know now that il would
not have been had not the situation been
50 critical as to alarm the people with the
fear that all that had been won on the
field would be lost in domestic turmoil un-
les some form for a strong Government
WI, agreed to. OF the - delegates. but 80
signed the instrument.
When nine States had ratified it, it be-
came what it is-thc mightiest bond OF
union between States known to history
sad there began for the first time in the
worlds history the experiment OF Govern
ment single in ITSELF but made up of
many parts and united by purely demo-
cratic principle, without the slightest
strain of class or aristocracy in it. To
Delaware belongs the honor of first accept
ing the new compact which was to be and
Is indissoluble. That little State waited
los than three months before giving her
consent. Rhode Island was the last to en-
Ter the Union, she not ratifying until May,
100. But the document had become eifec-
tive as Constitution in the previous year,
aud Washington had been chosen the first
President under it.
The present celebration begins at Phila-
dslphia to-day and will close on Saturday.
L promises to be one of the most signifi-
cant and impressive anniversary oelebra-
tions in which the American people have
engaged. There will he about it less of
the hurrah" and spectacular, and more
OF the thoughtful and deeply patriotic.
The regret is that California will not be
represented in the imposing ceremonial at
Philadelphia this week, where there will
be a complete reproduction of the memo
rable procession of 1888, when Philadel-
phia celebrated both the adoption of
the Constitution and the anniversary of the
Declaration